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There will be no fireworks or balloons, but the director of sales said when the Best Western Pioneer Plaza in downtown Carbondale officially opens - hopefully today - there will be a celebration.

Ms. Criscera, 30, of Greenfield Twp., spent much of Wednesday giving tours and finalizing details as the staff waited for the final approval from Best Western corporate representatives. She said approval should be official today.

"I have a list of people that I have to call," she said with a smile. "They want to be the first ones to sleep in the beds."

The Best Western Pioneer Plaza is part of a larger project that will eventually include a banquet hall, restaurant, bar, condos and retail space on South Main Street in the downtown area. About half of the $14 million project is being funded by state and federal money, which the city has helped to acquire, Robert Sakosky, vice president of Daniel Siniawa & Associates said. The rest has come from private financing through the company.

Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony six years ago. Since then, the project has been fraught with delays. On Wednesday, Mr. Sakosky said he is ready to focus on the future.

"Any time you increase traffic in the city, the rest of the people in the city will reap the benefits," he said. "It took a long time to get here. Obviously, it's going to be a great relief to finally get the hotel open."

He expects to open the banquet hall in the next 30 days and open the restaurant and bar in the fall.

Late Wednesday, the hotel was in "presell" mode, allowing reservations for May 25 and later. After it goes live, the website will become operational and staff will take reservations for all available dates. Ms. Criscera said a "now open" banner will also be displayed.

Guests can choose from 20 suites and 41 rooms, which start at $109 a night. Accommodations include free wi-fi, breakfast, access to the business center and fitness center and free parking.

"I think that we have a phenomenal product," said Ms. Criscera, who has been working in hospitality since she was 15. "I'd put us up against anybody."

"This has been a long time coming," she added. "I think people are super excited, not only for the opening of the hotel, but for what it's going to add to the community as a whole."

The lobby and other public areas of the hotel features art from local artists and two large flower arrangements from Five Oaks Floral Shoppe bookend the main desk. Ms. Criscera said jobs had already been created and hotel staff would refer guests to local businesses and restaurants.

"As our business grows, we're obviously going to be employing more people," she added.

Mayor Justin Taylor said the hotel will be an asset to business travelers, tourists interested in the areas Route 6 Heritage designation or local ski resorts. It will also expand the community's ability to hold major events and conferences. Three other businesses have recently started renovations and obtained permits, in part because of the hotel, he added.

"This flagship project, which has been on the drawing board and the radar for the better part of the last 10 years, is finally here," he said.

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

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